As his team prepare for an All-Ireland quarter-final clash of giants on Saturday, Mayo joint-manager Noel Connelly has been making it crystal clear that one of his key men, Aidan O'Shea will be targeted by the opposition.

Connelly's predecessor James Horan was on Off The Ball tonight, as always on a Thursday, and he agrees with that view and also believes it applies to Donegal captain Michael Murphy when it comes to the attention received from opposition defenders - and the resulting number of frees awarded by referees.

"I definitely think there's something in it. If you take those two players in particular, I think it's fair comment that these guys that should be able to take it-type thing don't get frees as easy as other players. I think you see that fairly regularly throughout games," said James.

"So what Noel was saying is correct in one way and Rory [Gallagher] has been saying that directly and indirectly throughout the league and championship as well. So I think that one is going to balance itself out because you've two similar players playing on opposite teams."

James says he is also expecting a "fascinating encounter" between O'Shea and Donegal All-Star full-back Neil McGee.